Archives for August 2016

Dallas Downtown Wedding Venue | Kids Free Weddings

Many of our couples ask the question: is it okay to host a kids-free wedding? The short answer is yes! It’s your special day, so you get to set the tone for the affair and craft a guest list to match. However, keeping your wedding child-free can be trickier than it sounds. If you’d like to limit your guest list to adults only, take a look at these tips before you make a final decision on whether or not to host kids at your Dallas downtown wedding venue.

First, set boundaries for yourself. Where will you draw the line while drafting guests lists? Many couples want a kids-free wedding, but still plan to include flower girls and ring bearers in their ceremony. This is perfectly fine, but it does introduce a gray area if you’re not careful. It can be easy to fall down the rabbit hole: “Well, we invited Aunt Debbie’s kids, so we really ought to invite Uncle Mike’s… and if we invite them, we can’t leave Mark and Susan’s kids out.” Early in the planning process, decide with your fiancé where the cutoff will be. Some couples do this by degree of closeness (i.e., only their siblings’ kids are invited), or by age (only guests over sixteen are welcome).

So how do you make it clear that Debbie’s kids are invited, but Mike’s are not? Envelope etiquette. Address envelopes with proper etiquette to make invitees clear. If an invitation is address only to “Mr. and Mrs.” it will be clear that kids are not included; on the other hand, “and Family” indicates all children are welcome. To drive the point home, you can include formal inner envelopes listing the names of each guest.

It is not polite to indicate “adults only” on printed invitations; however, your wedding website can be an ideal spot to make your guest preferences known. A courteous but firm note will get the message across: We are so happy you can come! Because we both have large extended families, we have decided to limit our guest list to adults only. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to celebrating with you. It also helps to select a venue and time that is better suited to a more mature audience; an evening wedding at Dallas downtown venue may not be an ideal place for kiddos to run around anyway.

Next, make it as easy as possible on your guests who are parents. Keep in mind—you are asking them to attend a long evening celebrating you while their kids are stuck at home. You are essentially asking them to pay for a babysitter if they want to join the wedding-day fun. Be aware of their situation, and courteous about it always. Send Save the Dates early! This will give parents plenty of time to pencil in your date and commit a babysitter to their calendar.

Finally, be gracious when misunderstandings happen… because they will happen! Even if you take all the proper steps to host a kids-free wedding, some guests’ RSVPs will include children anyway. If this happens, give them a call to politely explain the situation; chances are, they simply overlooked the details. And if kids show up unannounced at your wedding, try to be flexible! Just embrace it and don’t let their presence cause any negativity on your special day.

Got more questions? We’d love to help. The Empire Room has hosted countless events at our Dallas downtown wedding venue. We are always happy to share our expertise and help you plan the wedding you’ve always imagined. Simply contact us for assistance!

Our Dallas event venue has been recognized for a stand-out feature: versatility. Our open concept space allows brides and event coordinators to bring any aesthetic to life within our walls. Transforming The Empire Room into a personalized Dallas event venue is easy with just a few tricks. One décor area where you can make a huge impact? The ceiling!

Believe it or not, the ceiling is a great way to start transforming The Empire Room into a unique space. Here are a few ways to decorate the ceiling and bring memorable personality to your event.

Swags: fabric swags bring an elegant look to your venue. They soften the space and set the tone for an upscale event. Whether you choose soft whites or more dramatic hues, swags look elegant for any occasion. Combined with chiavari chairs and soft uplighting, you can’t go wrong!

Streamers: bring a punch of personality to your Dallas event venue! Oversized streamers a fun way to bring pops of bold color or elegant texture to your occasion. Make streamers pop with floral centerpieces that complement your color choices.

Chandeliers: elegant lighting always adds a touch of sophistication to your celebration. Use stunning chandeliers to illuminate your table décor and set the tone for a romantic evening. Whether your style is swanky and modern, or leans more toward rustic charm, a chandelier can speak to your personal aesthetic.

Ceiling décor never fails to wow guests at any occasion! It draws the eyes upward, opening the venue to appear even more expansive. Plus, a decked out venue from top to bottom guarantees a memorable first impression.

With any of these options, you can bring a personal aesthetic to our versatile venue. We love to see how event designers and brides reflect their vibrant personalities under our roof. Got a creative vision? Let’s chat! We’d love to talk about bringing your ideas to life. Maybe we’ll even start with a uniquely decorated ceiling.

It’s been awhile since we rounded up top Dallas attractions for our brides and grooms… but Dallas is always brimming with new restaurants to try, bars to check out, and interesting attractions that can’t be found anywhere else. There’s something for everyone around here! When you book a downtown Dallas wedding venue, be sure to fill your guests in on the city’s latest attractions. They’re guaranteed to have a phenomenal time—at your wedding, and all weekend long. Take a look at a few of our favorite spots.

Perot Museum: also located near our downtown Dallas wedding venue, the world-famous Perot Museum of Nature and Science opens a world of adventure for kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s a fun way to keep cool during the hot summer months.

DMA: while you’re near the Arts District, hop on over to the Dallas Museum of Art for a free (yep, totally free!) afternoon of art and culture. With an expansive permanent collection and stellar seasonal exhibits, the DMA is an excellent way to spend the day.

Bowlounge: looking for something a little more interactive? Visit the nearby Design District to play a few lanes in a laid back bar atmosphere at Bowlounge. We’d have to recommend a classic White Russian in this Big Lebowski-inspired venue.

Community Beer: just a few streets over from our downtown Dallas wedding venue, Community Beer is an award-winning local brewery with weekly Saturday tours. Grab a keepsake pint glass and taste some of Dallas’s seasonal brews.

This is only the tip of the iceberg; however, it’s easy to find more attractions! Our city is packed with fun things to do, whether you’re new to town or a born-and-raised Dallasite. If you’re getting married in Dallas, we hope you’ll tour our venue and see what it has to offer. Its proximity to on-trend Dallas attractions is just one benefit. We’d love to give you a tour so you can see why our space is a top Dallas wedding venue.